Team Rangahau

Pou Arahi Rangahau, Dr Shireen Maged is pleased to announce the appointments of the rangahau team who will undertake major research projects on behalf of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

Shireen was grateful for the capability of the new team with Betty-Lou Iwikau, a PhD graduate, and the remaining five kaimahi all masters graduates, with all either engaged in or about to begin PhD study.

“All the rangahau advisors have completed masters’ degrees so have done research at post graduate level. It was the minimum qualification for our team,” said Shireen.

“We are committed to supporting our whānau to do the highest quality rangahau so we need to have travelled that journey ourselves.”

My years of rangahau have rewarded me with wonderful experiences and lifetime memories. Highlights include my Masters thesis whereby I produced the Ngāti Kahungunu worldview according to our tribal oriori, Pinepine Te Kura and most recently graduating from Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo.

My future includes the completion of a PhD on Karanga.

I love working for Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, my roles have included Academic Advisor, Kaiako Matua and most recently as Kaiārahi Reo.

Te Ihu Takiwā Rangahau Advisor Morehu McDonald

Pictured: Morehu McDonald

Morehu is of Tainui descent and belongs to the Ngāti Hinerangi iwi of Matamata and Tauranga Moana; Ngāti Mahuta in Waikato; Ngāti Maniapoto from Mangatoatoa in Te Awamutu and Ngāti Hamua of Ngāti Ruanui in Taranaki.

He has a Master of Arts (Hons) degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in New Zealand / Māori History.

He has worked as a contract Treaty historian for the Waitangi Tribunal and Crown Forestry Rental Trust as well as a project manager for the Crown Forestry Rental Trust.

Morehu McDonald joined Te Wānanga o Aotearoa as a kaiako in Adult Education in 2012 and before becoming the Rangahau Advisor for Te Ihu Takiwā, was Kaiako Matua of He Korowai Akonga, the Bachelor of Education (Adult Education) and Bachelor of Teaching (Primary Education) at the Mangere campus.

He was a lecturer at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic in Auckland for 8 years where he taught te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, te kawa o te marae, New Zealand-Māori history and Hauora Māori.

Morehu also has an extensive background and knowledge in health, communications, public relations, television production and journalism.

He is married with three sons.

Te Waenga Rangahau Advisor Pauline Adams

Pictured: Pauline Adams

Pauline Adams says she is privileged to be engaging with kaimahi from the Waiariki and Whirikoka rohe.

She is of Te Whānau-a-Apanui descent on her mother’s side, and Irish on her father’s.

Pauline lives in Rotorua with her partner Shane Hona, and their one-year old puppy, Duke.

Pauline joined Te Korowai Ākonga in 2011 after a long career teaching with a desire to contribute to the development of high quality teachers in our schools.

Her research background is also in education, with an interest around biculturalism.
Her Masters of Education thesis explored the understanding and practice of biculturalism in the primary classroom.
She is currently engaged in PhD study, investigating identity development in Māori-Pākehā individuals.

She is a “battered Blues supporter living with a Chiefs loyalist”.

“Having seen the All Blacks play around the world, including at the last three Rugby World Cups, we will be relegated to cheering on the ABs from home this year, as we eagerly await the arrival of our first child, due in December,” she said.

“As a young child I recall walking past her room late at night, her light was always on and the old black type writer typed as she meticulously typed hand-written manuscripts and notes about different tipuna onto blank A4 sheets of paper.

Multiple whakapapa sheets arrayed the walls of the room, and pictures of my tipuna adorned the room. I used to think mama’s study room was spooky – I called it the ‘heeby jeeby room’.”

Sophronia eventually became kaitiaki of the photos and the whānau whakapapa.
While she felt overwhelmed by her new role she believed her mama had prepared her.

“She taught me the importance of asking questions: who, what, when and why. Her famous saying was “always ask questions”. I also realised that from a young age she taught me to look behind what appeared on the surface.”

Sophronia has an affinity for topics that explore power, healing, women and politics.

She is especially interested in creative ways to retell stories and is comfortable using the vehicles of composition, waiata and song, documentary and film to do this.

Cycles of crisis and Māori resilience

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and the TEC renew commitment to partnership

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (TWoA) have renewed their commitment to work together in a partnership that is based upon Te Tiriti o Waitangi and focused on learners across Aotearoa.